Environmentalists and the computer

Summary The growth in the application of computers is one of the major developments of the last half of the 20th Century. There have already been substantial changes in society because of the computer, but even greater changes lie ahead. This paper defines some of the characteristics and applications of computers, as well as some of their limitations. It closes with comments on the implications of the development of ‘a new class of illiterates’—those who are unfamiliar with or even afraid of the computer as an aid in measurement, analysis, record keeping, communication and education. Robert C. Baron has over 25 years experience in the computer industry, as an engineer and as an executive. He was program manager for the Mariner II (Venus) and the Mariner IV (Mars) on board space computers. He was worldwide systems manager for Honeywell's minicomputer business. In 1972, he founded Prime Computer and was its first president. He is currently working as a writer, lecturer and consultant on the development and application of computer and communication technology. Mr. Baron is the author or contributor to six books and has written over 40 papers and speeches.